Center for Veterans Research and Education
Cervical spinal cord injuries (SCI) are the most common form of spinal cord injuries within the veteran population. Losing arm function is a major concern with these injuries. Doctors often use a treatment called functional electrical stimulation (FES) during rehab sessions targeted at improving arm and hand function. For FES, clinicians places sticky pads on the skin over the muscles that need to move. A newer treatment, called transcutaneous spinal stimulation (TSS), places the pads on the skin over the spine instead. This study compares the two treatments in veterans with non-traumatic spinal cord injuries while they are in the hospital's rehab program. The main goal is to see how well each treatment improves arm and hand function, which is measured with the Capabilities of Upper Extremity Test. If TSS works well, it could help veterans regain more arm and hand function which may result in increased independence.
Cervical spinal cord injuries (SCI) are the most prevalent form of spinal cord injuries within the veteran population. Cervical spinal cord injuries can result in functional limitations to both the lower and upper extremities. Among cervical SCI patients, addressing loss of function in the upper extremities is an extremely important issue to address. Current strategies to treat cervical spinal cord injuries during sub-acute rehabilitation incorporate functional electrical stimulation (FES), with electrodes placed on the skin directly over the targeted muscle groups. With this study current sta…
Inclusion Criteria: * • Veterans admitted to the Minneapolis VA Health Care System's (MVAHCS) SCI inpatient unit for sub-acute rehabilitation following non-traumatic cervical SCI. * Veterans are eligible for enrollment within 90 days of the onset of their spinal cord injury. * Non-traumatic SCI, level T2 or above; AIS A,B,C,D. * Age 18+. Exclusion Criteria: * • Study clinicians determine that the veteran would likely not benefit from FES. * Open wounds where electrodes would be placed. * Cognitive impairments identified during the consent process indicating a veteran's Inability…
Functional electrical stimulation
Transcutaneous spinal stimulation